If the interviewer is unprepared then take control, raise questions and make points whilst selling yourself.

Questions which might be asked

What experience do you have that will benefit the job?

What is your greatest strength/weakness?

Show that you have identified a strength and are utilizing it or a weakness and are working on it.

Tell me about yourself.

This is a good opportunity to reveal your strengths that you included in your personal profile.

What are your biggest accomplishments?

Can you work well under pressure?

This is job related.

Where do you see yourself in 3 - 5 years time?

How do you handle criticism?

Portray the attitude that all criticism has a benefit

What can you do for us that somebody else can’t?

Show unique skills/experience

Describe a difficult problem that you have had to deal with.

Explain your approach, result and how a bad outcome was averted.

How do you handle stress?

How you avoid it and how you deal with it e.g. gym, sport.

How do you take direction?

Do you prefer working alone or with others?

Show how you work well in both.

Why do you want the job?

What qualities do you think are necessary for the job?

How would you describe yourself?

How could you improve yourself?

What motivates you?

What are your career goals?

Are you competitive?

How did you progress in your last job?

Describe a typical day at your last job.

Why should we hire you?

Do you consider yourself to be a natural leader?

What interests you most about the job?

Questions you might want to ask

What would the key tasks and responsibilities be?

What support and guidance would there be?

What would the reporting line be?

What training would there be?

What are the future strategies for the department or company?

You might think that many of the points highlighted are common sense and for the most part you would be right. However we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts. Although the following is by no means an exhaustive list it is worth going through them to make sure that you remember them.

Dos

Practise interviews before the real thing.

Brush your teeth before the interview.

A trial run to the interview location.

Turn up for the interview 10 minutes early.

Turn off your mobile phone on arrival.

Bring several copies of you c.v. to the interview.

Greet the interviewer by name (check pronunciation if you are unsure)

Make eye contact.

Smile at all times.

Remain calm.

Show enthusiasm.

Have high energy.

Always adopt a professional and business like manner.

Listen intently.

Speak in a clear voice.

Use positive language.

Ask relevant questions.

Stress your achievements.

Show off your research of the company.

Conduct yourself like you are determined to get the job.

Show what you can do for the company.

Finish the interview by saying how much you want the job.

Get business cards from all interviewers.

Take notes straight away.

Write thank you letters within 24 hours to each interviewer.

Don’ts

Be late.

Turn up inappropriately dressed.

Bring food

Smell of strong odors (garlic, cigarettes, strong perfume etc)

Sit before being asked.

Fidget

Chew gum.

Smoke.

Be too familiar and use first names.

Indicate that you are desperate for a job.

Get into discussions about your personal life.

Use negative phrases.

Tell jokes.

Use pause words like ‘um’ and ‘er’.

Talk about controversial topics.

Say anything negative about your former employers.

Lie.

Answer questions just with yes and no.

Respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause.

Ask what the company can do for you.

Look at your watch.

Have nothing to say.

Give a sob story.

Submit a messy application form.

Give vague answers to questions.

Swear.

Fail to listen to a question.

Annoy the interviewer by asking a question that has already been answered.